Editorial photo #13186958 Human Interest
Canada Bans Fluorescent Light Bulbs Nationwide
Fluorescent light bulbs are seen at a shop in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 10, 2026. As of January 1, 2026, the manufacture and sale of most common fluorescent lamps containing mercury are prohibited in Canada. The initiative is part of a nationwide pledge to reduce mercury pollution per its obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a United Nations program that over 140 countries sign onto. Retailers are allowed to continue to sell their existing stock until the end of 2029, with a goal of completely eliminating their sale by the end of the decade. Consumers are directed to mercury-free alternatives, like LED lighting. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto)
